CA1116668A - Convertible selector switch - Google Patents
Convertible selector switchInfo
- Publication number
- CA1116668A CA1116668A CA000313705A CA313705A CA1116668A CA 1116668 A CA1116668 A CA 1116668A CA 000313705 A CA000313705 A CA 000313705A CA 313705 A CA313705 A CA 313705A CA 1116668 A CA1116668 A CA 1116668A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- switch
- cam
- handle
- detent
- housing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
- H01H19/02—Details
- H01H19/03—Means for limiting the angle of rotation of the operating part
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H11/00—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches
- H01H11/0006—Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches for converting electric switches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H19/00—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand
- H01H19/54—Switches operated by an operating part which is rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and which is acted upon directly by a solid body external to the switch, e.g. by a hand the operating part having at least five or an unspecified number of operative positions
- H01H19/60—Angularly-movable actuating part carrying no contacts
- H01H19/635—Contacts actuated by rectilinearly-movable member linked to operating part, e.g. by pin and slot
- H01H19/6355—Contacts actuated by rectilinearly-movable member linked to operating part, e.g. by pin and slot using axial cam devices for transforming the angular movement into linear movement along the axis of rotation
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
- Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
- Y10T74/20576—Elements
- Y10T74/20636—Detents
Landscapes
- Rotary Switch, Piano Key Switch, And Lever Switch (AREA)
- Medicines That Contain Protein Lipid Enzymes And Other Medicines (AREA)
- Portable Nailing Machines And Staplers (AREA)
- Binders And Loading Units For Sheaves (AREA)
- Basic Packing Technique (AREA)
Abstract
47,695 CONVERTIBLE SELECTOR SWITCH
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A selector switch for use as a pushbutton and rotary switch characterized by a rotatable switch actuator and at least two switch structures, the actuator having a shaft on which a handle is detachably mounted for operation in a plurality of modes to operate the switch structures in different combinations of open and closed conditions, the handle being detachably mounted on the shaft for rotating the cam through one limited sector thereof, and the handle being repositionable on the shaft for rotation through another limited sector thereof.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A selector switch for use as a pushbutton and rotary switch characterized by a rotatable switch actuator and at least two switch structures, the actuator having a shaft on which a handle is detachably mounted for operation in a plurality of modes to operate the switch structures in different combinations of open and closed conditions, the handle being detachably mounted on the shaft for rotating the cam through one limited sector thereof, and the handle being repositionable on the shaft for rotation through another limited sector thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Thls reference is related to copending Canadian applications of R~ J. Johnston et al, Serial No. 313,6~2, filed October 1~, 197~ and R. J. Johnston et al, Serial No.
315,271, filed October 31, 197~.
BACKG~OUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention-This invention relates generally to electric control switches, and more particularly, it pertains to switches of the type having reciprocating operating members.
Description of the Prior Art:
Most selector switches which are usHd for varying contact sequences are provided with different operating parts fOr a given sequence. For example, some switch units comprise a single contact arrangement which is convertible from a t~o to a three mode unit. A primary disadvantage of such switches is the requirement of making and stocking X ~
47,695 additional parts for each contact sequence. An example of a control switch operator is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
3,169,406, issued ~ebruary 16, 1965 to J. H. Mullen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention a rotary selec-tor switch is provided-whlch comprises a rotatable actuating unit and at least two switch structures, a tubular housing, said unit comprising an actuator within the housing and a switch handle on one end of the actuator, the handle being at one end of the housing and rotatable through one limited sector thereof, the handle being removable from the actuator for repositioning thereon in another limited sector of rota-tion, a detent cam on the housing and spring bias means for holding the cam against a cam follower on the actuator, a `~ ri~- CrJ~
guide rib on the housing and a rib cngaging notch on the detent cam, a portion of the rib adjacent to the handle comprising stop means for limiting rotation of the handle, mutually interfitting means on the handle and actuator to enable removal and repositioning of the handle, the inter-engageable means being more proximate to each other forrotation of the handle through one limited sector than for the other sector, an operating cam on the other end of the actuator, each switch structure having a reciprocal contact operating member to effect opening and closing of the cir-cuit through the switch structure, and the cam having cam operating surface means for actuating the contact operating members.
The advantage of the convertible selector switch is that it provides a method for rotating a single cam in a plurality of modes with a minimum number of operating parts.
47,695 BRlEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAI~INGS
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation of a switch embodying the principal features of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line II-II of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line III-III of Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the operating mem-bers of the switch;
Fig. 6 is a development showing the profile of the operating cam when the switch functions in two modes;
Fig. 7 is a development showing the profile of the cam when the switch functions in three modes;
Fig. 8 is a development showing the profile of of the cam when the switch functions in four modes;
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are elevational views of vari-ous legend plates with which the switch handle may be used;
Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation of another embodiment of the switch;
Fig. 13 is an exploded view of the operating parts of the switch shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 12;
Figs. 15 and 16 are alternate positions of the ,F;B
47,620; ~7,695; 1,7,69 switch as shown in Fig~ 114;
Figs. 17~ 1~, 19, and 20 are fragmentary vertical sectional views, partly in elevation, sho~ng various func-tions of the actuator;
Fig. 21 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line XXI-XXI of Fig. l;
Fig~ 22 is an elevational view with a portion broken away sho~nng the relative positions of a pair of contact blocks;
Fig. 23 is an end view taken on the line XXIII-XXIII in Fig. 2 of a contact block with an additional upper contact block added in tandem; and Fig. 24 is a horizontal view partly in section and partly in elevation taken on the line XXIV-XXIV of Fig~ 23.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In Fig. 1 a switch is generally indicated at 25 and is mounted on a panel 27. The switch 25 comprises an operating unit 29 and pairs of contact blocks 31, 33 in tandem. The operating unit 29 comprises a housing 35, a clamp ring 37, a handle or actuating knob 39, a contact actuator 41, detent means or detent cam 43, and an operating cam 45. The housing 35 is a tubular member including a reduced portion 47 which extends through an aperture in the panel 27 and which comprises a threaded upper end portion 49 on which the clamp ring 37 is tightened for engagement with the panel at 50~ A legend plate 51 is disposed on the panel 27 and around the clamp ring 37.
The handle 39 is composed of an electrically insulating material and is preferably translucent to trans-mit light from a light source or bulb 53. The handle 39 i~
1~7,620; ~7,695; 1~7,696 comprises a tubular porkion 55 which is detachably mounted on the upper end of the contact actuator 410 As shown more particularly in Fig. 5, the tubular portion 55 comprises an end surface 57 and a pair of ears 59, 61 extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the portion 55 and having end surfaces aligned with the end sur~ace 57. The ears 59, 61 are not diametrically opposed, rather the arc between them on one side is greater than on the other. In addition, the tubular portion 55 includes a first pair of outwardly extending stop ribs 63, 65 having end portions 64, 66 which proJect be~ond khe end surface 57. The circular arc between the ribs 63, 65 on one side is greater than the arc on the other side thereof. Finally, the tubular portion 53 also includes a second pair of stop ribs 67, 69 which are wider than the ribs 63, 65, and which project beyond the end surface 57 by a distance 71 equal to that of the ribs 63, 65. The tubular portion 55 also has spaced notches 73 to permit contraction of the portion 55 as it is snapped into and out of place on the contact actuator 41 when reposition-ing the handle from one mode to another.
The contact actuator 41 (Fig. 5) has an upper end portion which is annular and includes a radial flange 75, as well as a lower portion which is splined, that is, it com-prises a plurality of radially spaced grooves or slots 77 which form a number of longitudinal members 79, the lower ends of which include outturned flanges ~1. The detent cam ~3 is annular and is mounted on the lower portion of the contact actuator 41 where it is movable against a coil spring g3 ~Fig. 1) between the actuator 41 and the housing 30 35. The detent cam ~3 (Fig. 5) includes a plurality of X
~7,620; 1~7,695; ~7,696 spaced cam notches ~5 in which a pair of diametrically opposite cam detents ~6 (one of which is shown) operate.
The cam detents ~6 are part of the actuator ~1 and extend radially therefrom. The detent cam 43 also includes a pair of diametrically opposite grooves or notches ~7 (one of which is shown) in which opposite cam guides or guide ribs ~9, 91 are located, which guides extend longitudinally uI)on the internal sur~ace of the housing 35 and enable the detent cam 43 to move longitudinally without rotating. The guides g9" 91 are also shown in Figs. 3 and 4~
As shown in Fig~ 5, the upper end of the contact actuator 41 comprises a plurality, such as three, notches 93, 95, 97 in which the ears 59, 61 are detachably located, depending upon whether the switch is operated in two, three or four modes or positions. For example, to turn the switch between two modes~ the ear 59 is disposed in the notch 95 with the ear 61 in the notch 97. To operate the switch in three modes, the ear 61 is located in the notch 93, while the ear 59 is in the notch 97. To operate the switch in four modes, the ears 59, 61 may be in either notch 93, 95, or 97 because, as explained below, the end portions 64, 66 corresponding to the projection distances 71 of the several ribs 63, 65, 67, 69 are removed.
The switch 25 is operated through the two, three, and four modes as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and ~, respectively.
For two modes (Fig. 6) the handle 39 is rotated to turn the actuator 41 and the cam detents ~6 from specific notches ~5a to notches ~5b, whereby the handle turns from OFF to ON, as shown in Fig. 9. The ribs 63, 65 limit the mo~rement of the handle because in the OFF position, the rib 63 abuts the upper end of the guide X
47~ ; 47,69~, 47,69 89; and ln l;hg ON po~ltlon ~h~ rlb 65 abut~ th~ ~u1~ 139 on t~h~ o~p~ g ~d@ ~hg~ . Ag~s~ y, l;h~ ~b~ ~3, ~5 ~n ~oo~lsa~ wi~h l;h~ m~ m~QmQ~ 9 ~hQ h~n~
b~tween two po~ltlon~ ~N and O~F, when t;hQ Qar~ 59, 6l ar~
properïy dlD~Q~d in th~ sr n~ not~h~ 7.
Fer l;hr~@ mo~ op~ration, thQ han~la 39 1~ r~po~1-~ n@a wi~h ~ Q~ l;h~ hQ~ ~ ,, 97 8~ th~ ~hg ~o~rib~ 67, 69 ar@ ln th~ ~ol~ lln~ po~ltlon~ as ~hown ln Fl~.
7, wh~r~by thg rl.b 67 1~ ln abutm~nt with tha upp~r ~n~
1~ portlon o~ th~ ~ul~ ha~ ~h~ ha~ mav~ th~ nt~
8~ 3~r~m ~ hg~ 8~ h~ b ~n~ b~ ly n~ghQ~ ~g, ~hu~, ~h~ ~a~ ~ib~ ~7, ~ m~Q 3~ h~
lin~ po~l~lon~ ~a ~h~ bra~n lln~ ~a~i~lon~ un~il th~ rib 69 aon~rant~ th~ athgr ~i~Q a~ th~ ~ulda 89. ~hUE~, afl ~hown in ~g, lO, ~h~ hQOn~lt3 may b~ turn;~d b~tw~n ~hQ pa~ition~
HAND, 9FF, and AU~O .
~ o op~ratQ ~ha ~wi~oh ~n ~our mo~,, th~ lowar ~n~
portion~ 71 ~ . 5) o~ tha ~av~ral rib~ 63, 65l 67, ~9 ar~
r~movQd or gut a~ ~a that nan~ o~ th~ rlb~ eon~ron~ th~
uppar end portlon o~ l;ha ~uldg 89 ~ ~hawn ln Fi~. B.
~C~r~ y J wh~ ~;hQ ha~ J ~h~ ~Q~
lllOV@ b0twQQn th@ ~our na~oh~fl ~5a, 85b, B50, 85~ whQra th~y are llmite~ by ~h~ ~ui ~ 89 . In a~ lon to th~ ~ui~ 89, a ~or~ ha ~Q~Qn~ ~m 4~ . O~ n~ ~h~
~a~h ~f ~h~ m d~ m~ y O~
tha ~am ~n~ ali~n with th~ ~ui~ 89. Aooor~ln~ly, a~ l3hown ln ~ . 11, l;he hanalu ~9 may ba ro~at~ b~tw~an tha ~our pa~ltiorl~ inolu~in~ 9N, 9F~, RUNI JO~.
Anothar ~mbo~lman~ o~ ~ha uwitGh 1~ ~anarally inQlcat;~Q al; lOl ln ~ 2 ln whi~h, 3~or ulmpllrl~tlon, ,~
~7~620; 47,695; 1,7,696 similar reference numbers refer to similar parts sho~m in F~ig. 1. The operating unit 29 com~rises a handle 103 which încludes a tubular portion 105 and stop means comprising a projection or flange 107 extending from one side thereof.
A tab 109 (Fig. 13) projects from the tubular portion 105 and is peripherally spaced from a radial flange 111 which is less on one side than on the other; tha~ is, the tab 109 and the radial flange 111 are not diametricall opposed. The tab 109 preferably includes an indicator mark, such as an arrow 113. The reduced portion 47 of the housing 35 ~Fig. 12) includes a pair of diametrically opposed guide ribs 115 and 117 which are substantially similar to the guide ribs ~9, 91 (Fig. 1)9 but which differ therefrom in that the guide 117 has a lower surface 119 (Fig. lL,) and a projection 121 extending to the level of the upper end of the guide 115. The projection 121 includes stop edges 123 and 125 for limiting rotation of the handle 103.
The contact actuator 41 (Fig. 13) is provided a plurality, such as three, tab-receiving notches 127, 129, 131 facing the top surface of the actuator, as well as three slots 133~ 135, 137. When the tab 109 is placed in one of the notches 127, 129, 131~ the radial flange 111 fits into one of the correspondîng slots 133, 135, 137. Accord-ingly, when the handle 103 is rotated, the force of turning is shared by the tab 109 and the flange 111, To facilitate placement of the tab 109, the indicator mark 113 is placed in the appropriate notch having the desired mode or position number, such as 2, 3,, L,, as shown.
The manner in which the several parts of the handle 103 and the notches and slots of the contac~ actuator _~_ X
4r,620; 47,595; 47,696 41 operate i~ ahown ln Fi~s. ï4, 15, 16. For two-mode operation (F:l~. 14~, ~he tab 109 i~ plased in the notch 127 havin~, the identl~1oatlon "2" Wi.'~;}l the radial ~lan~e 111 ~lttin~ into the ~lot 135, whereby the ~lan~e 107 is dls-posed over a ,~erlpheral ~eol;t)r o~ the aotuator 41. ~o illuatrate t;he ~evaral part~ 107, 109, 111 ln Fi~s. 14, 15, lG, l;he~e parl;a ~re lndioalied by ~tlpplln~ which ha~ no ra~erence l;o th@ klnd o~ ma~ierial involved. ~hus, the handle 103 i~ rotatad betwegn the OFF and ON posil;ion~, as 1~ shown ln ~i~. 9, wlth thg ~lan~e 107 movin~ to the brokon lln~ po~ition (F1~. 14), ~he tab 109 and notoh 127 movin~ to thelr re~p~otlvQ brokQn line po~l~lon~, and the detenk oam 86 movlng ~o l~s brokQn llnQ po~l~lon. In the broken line po~ltion o~ ~lan~Q 107 no ~urthgr rotaklon i~ pos~lble be¢aus~ thQ ~lan~e 111 ~krlkes the ~uide 115 ak the sur~ao~
139. Wh~n the handl~ ls rotated ln ~h~ rever~e dlreckion, thQ cam detQnt 86 ~rik~ th@ ~R~ ula~ 115 ak the ~kop ~ur~aoe 141, and the dlametrloally oppo~ite detenk oam 86 ~trike~ th@ ~top ed~Q 125 o~ ~he proJeotlon 121 ~lmultaneously.
For khree-mode op@ration (~i~. 15), th@ tab 109 and khe ~lan~e 111 are plaogd ln tho notoh 129 and alot 133, re~peotlvely, whloh notah i~ identl~l*d wlth khe number "3".
ln thak po~itian, the oam detont~ 86 are a~ain~t the Btop 0ur~aae~ lX5 and 141; and khe handle 13 rotated olockwls@
~ram a ~ir~t po~itlan A ta Q ~eoand po~itlon ~, or to a third po~it$on C ~hrau~h aro~ Or approprlak@ an~le~, ~uah as 45 ~e~ree~ @aoh. Wh~n ~h@ tab 10~ reaohes ~he broken l~ne po~ition 109, th~ ~langM 10l ~tr$k@~ the atop ~ur~aoe 123 and prevon~ fur~h~r rata~l~n. A~ ~he rlan~e 107 ~pproaehe~
the otop ~ur~aa~ 123, 1`, olgar~ th@ ourra¢e 119 o~ ~he ~u~d@
47,620; 47,695; 47,696 117.
Wh@n the operating un~t 29 19 u~ed ~or ~our-mode operatlon, it i~ nece~sary ~o remove, such aB by cutting, a lower portion 143 o~ t,he ~lange 107 alon~ a line, suoh QS
lndlcated by the broken llne 145 (~1~. 13). To ~acilltate remov~l Or that portion, a breakln~ ~roove may be provlded at the line 145. With the low@r port~on 143 removed, the flan~e 107 no lon~er collide~ with the proJectlon 143 when the handle iu rotated. How0v2r, the tab 109 and the flan e 111 are pre~erably plaoed ln the notches 131 and ~lot 137, re~pectlvely, ~o ~hat an ~ndica~or, cuoh ~B an arrow 147 (Flg. 11) point~ ~o the approprlate po~ltion, such as ON, OFF, RUN, JO~,on the leg@nd pla~e 51. ~he limlts to the rota~ion o~ ~he opera~ing unit 29 are then prov~ded by the cam detentc ~6 ~Fig. 16) whlch are ~topped when they ¢olliae wlth the ~uide~ 115, 117. ~n thic manner, the handle ic turned through ~our po~i~ion~ through three arouate ~ector~ -of suttable degree~, ~uoh a~ 45 degree~, each,~untll the tab 109 and the notoh 131 reach0d the broken line positlon~
thereo~, Rotatlon o~ the operating unit 29 wlth elth~r the embodlment of Fi~. 1 or Fi~. 12, rotates the operQtlng cam 45 throu~h the lndicated modeo to open or clo~e the clrcults through the contaot blooks 31, 33. AB the op~rating cam 45 i~ rotated, it actuate~ ~wltch operatln~ plungers 149, 151 ln various oomblna~ion~ o~ UP and DOWN posltion~, dependin~
upon the cam ~ur~ace. ~he contact blocks 31, 33 may be dlsposed in tandem (Fi~. 12) wlth at least two blook~ ln po~ltlon. In addltion, the block~ 31, 32 may be dlsposed in ~lde-by-~ide po~lon~ ~lg. 22) wlth thelr re~pec~lve .,., /o 47,620; 47,695; 47,696 plun~er~ 149, 151 en~a~in~ the cam 43. Eaoh oontact block contain~ a pair o~ movable contact~ 153 ~nd a pair o~ sta-tlonary contact0 155. ~I'he movable oontact~ 153 are mounted on a brld~ln~ oontaot carrler 157 whlch ln turn i~ mounted on the plunger i51 in a conventional manner, ~uoh as ~hown in P~tent No. 3,919,506. ~aGh contaot blook i~ ~dJu~ted ~or elther normally open (a~ ~hown) or normally olosed condi-tlon~. Eaoh contaGt blook 31, 32, 33 in61udes a pair of ~lmilar oonta¢t~ 153, 155, oontaot oarriQr 157, and plun~er 151 or 149 which ar@ di0po~0d in a GontaGt ohamb@r 159 ~ormed by a ~alr of o~osite 0id@ wall0 161, 162, opposlte end wallQ 165, 167, a~ well a~ top and bottom opposlte ed~e wall~ 16y, 171. ~o ~aollltate a~embly, the sido wall 161 and end wall~ 165, 167 eonstltute a oo~er and are ~eparable ~rom th@ body port~on whloh oomprl~Q~ th~ ~lde wall 162 and the u~per and lower @d~e wall~ 169, 171. When as~embled, sultab~e mean~ ~not ~hown) m~lntaln th~ cover and body portlonD lntaot.
A9 ~hown in Fl~. 22, the ~ta~ionary contact~ 155 are mounted on a termlnal oonneotor 173 wh~.oh ha~ a gener-~lly 7.-~hapod oon~igur~tion compricing an inner end portlon 175, an outor ~nd portion 177, and an intermediat~ portlon 179. ~he outer end portion comprlGeo an a~9embly o~ a terminal sorew and olamp 181 to whloh a ~l~xlble oonduotor ~not ~hown), ~uoh a~ a ~tranded wlre, 1~ attached.
In ~lg. 22, th~ lntermedlat@ portion 179 ls dis-po~ed betwQen the ~ide wall 162 and a wall portion or ~lange 183 whioh i~ ~paoed a~ 185 by a dl~tQnGe ~ubstantially e~ual to th~ thickne~ of the intermediate portion 179. ~he wall 3o portlon 183 ~.~ compri~d o~ an ~leotrically in~ulatlng . ~a~--r~
47 ~ ~;20 ~ 1~7 ~ 695 ~ 47 1 596 material ~imi~ar ~o ~he wall~ ~ormin~ the ~everal contact block~ 313 32, 33 and ~r~@~ as an in~ulatin~ barrier to prevent any ~rc ocgurrin~ betwe~n the contact~ 153, 155 ~rom movln~ ~rom th~ ~tationary oontact 155 to the intermediate portion 1'79, whlch i~ clo~er ~o ~he movable conta¢t 153 when in ~he open po~ on. ~hu~, ~h~ wall por~ion 183 ~acilltate~ in tQrminatin~ any aro oGourrin~ durln~ separa-tion o~ the Gontaot~.
~he tQrmlnal Gonnectoro 173 are retained in the po~itlon ~hown in Fi~. 24 by tha and walls 165, 167 when the body and OO~Qr portion~ ara oompletely a~mbl@d.
Althou~h th~ contaot blo6k~ 31, 32, 33 are pro-vld~d with intQ~ral int~r~ltting m~mber~ lnoludin~ pron~o 187, whloh on~a~ coope.ratin~ reoQ~Q~ lB9 to retaln the block~ in tand@m, thQ blook~ are al~o providod with tubular portion~ ~ormln~ bor~ 193 adapted to recQlve oorew~ 195.
Eaoh ~orqw 195 oompri~Q~ a throaded ~hart 197 and a head 199, whioh h~ad an~a~Q~ a r~duoad ~houlder ~ur~aoe 201 tFi~.
23). Eaoh head 199 co~pri~@~ a threaded bore 203 in whloh the ~nd portion of the ~ha~ 197 ~ ~eoured to the next adJa¢ent ~orew 195. ~he uppermo~t ~arew~ o~ a palr or tandem mounted contaot blook~ ~re attaohed ~n a sultQble manner, ~uoh a~ to thr~aded apertur@~ ln the lower side o~
the hou~in~ 35.
When a ~u~ioi~nt number o~ contact blook~ 31, 32, 33 are connect@d in tandem and ~eoured ln plQoe by an elon~-ated ~eri~3 of ~or@w~ 195, the oontaGt block3 o~ adJaoent ~tack~ or tandem~ ~re inolined to ~eparate outwardly due to the ~oroe appliQd by the ~¢rew~. A3 a r@cult, adJaoent palr~ o~ oon~ac~ blo¢k~ in ~h@ ~pao@d ~andem ~taoks are _,~_ ' .' /~
~6~
47,G20; 47,635; 47,696 provided w~h laterally interconnectin~ meanc, such as cooperatln~ hoek~ 205, 207, o~ wh~oh a palr extend ~rom each pair o~ ~pac@d block~ 31, 33 ~ . 24). ~hu~, the hook~
205, 207 maintaln a pair o~ tandem contaot block~ in the deslr~d ~pacin~ with r@spect ~o each o~her and in ali~nment wlth ~he operatin~ unlt 29.
'~he manner ln which ~he operatin~ o~m 45 ic mounted on the lower end o~ the contact ao~uator 41 i~ shown in Fi~. 17-20. ~he cam 45 i~ an annular member havin~ cam ~ur~aceB 209, 211 (Flg. 1) and mountin~ ~poke~ 213 tF1~. 5).
A~ ~hewn in Flg. 21, the ~oke~ ar~ di~po~ed in the ~roovec 77 b~tween th~ ~0veral lon~ittldinal m@mb~r~ 79. Thu~, when the conta¢t actuator 41 i~ rotatQd, th~ cam 45 rota~e~ to acttlate ene er both pltAtng~r~ 149~ 151, ~uch a~ shown in F~.
17. Hew~ver, wh~r~ th~ handl~ 39 or 103 io operated a~ a pu~h butten ln~t~a~ o~ Q rotary ~eleotor ~witch, the~aotuator ~6 ~ ~
: i~ moved ln th~ direction o~ thu arrow 215'to depre~ both plun~er~ 149, 151. '~he eperating cam 45, however, remains ln lt~ po~itien b~cau~e th~ ~pokQ~ 213 ~llde in the 910t~
77. A~ ahown in Fig. 21, th~ upper en~ o~ th@ plun~ers 149, 151 overlap the our~aoe3 Or th@ oQm 45 and the Planges 41 at the lower end o~ eaoh lon~itudinal m@mber 79. Acoord-in~ly, the plun~er~ 149, 151 are aGtuated by elther or both o~ th@ cam and lon~itudinal m~mber~.
Finally, where n@~oary, one or more o~ the lon-gitudinal member~ 79 may be ellmlnated, ~u~h as ~hown in Fi~. 19 on ~he ri~ht-hand 3ide, ther~by removin~ On@ 0~ the ~lan~es 81 whloh overlap~ ~he plun~@r 149. ~hu~, when ~he actuator 41 1~ depre3~ed ln ~he arrow 215 tF1~. 20~, the 3o plun~er 151 i~ ~epre~oed, bu~; l;h@ plun~er 149 remains ln the ,~ ~` upper po ~ it ion .
: ~3
Thls reference is related to copending Canadian applications of R~ J. Johnston et al, Serial No. 313,6~2, filed October 1~, 197~ and R. J. Johnston et al, Serial No.
315,271, filed October 31, 197~.
BACKG~OUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention-This invention relates generally to electric control switches, and more particularly, it pertains to switches of the type having reciprocating operating members.
Description of the Prior Art:
Most selector switches which are usHd for varying contact sequences are provided with different operating parts fOr a given sequence. For example, some switch units comprise a single contact arrangement which is convertible from a t~o to a three mode unit. A primary disadvantage of such switches is the requirement of making and stocking X ~
47,695 additional parts for each contact sequence. An example of a control switch operator is disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
3,169,406, issued ~ebruary 16, 1965 to J. H. Mullen.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with this invention a rotary selec-tor switch is provided-whlch comprises a rotatable actuating unit and at least two switch structures, a tubular housing, said unit comprising an actuator within the housing and a switch handle on one end of the actuator, the handle being at one end of the housing and rotatable through one limited sector thereof, the handle being removable from the actuator for repositioning thereon in another limited sector of rota-tion, a detent cam on the housing and spring bias means for holding the cam against a cam follower on the actuator, a `~ ri~- CrJ~
guide rib on the housing and a rib cngaging notch on the detent cam, a portion of the rib adjacent to the handle comprising stop means for limiting rotation of the handle, mutually interfitting means on the handle and actuator to enable removal and repositioning of the handle, the inter-engageable means being more proximate to each other forrotation of the handle through one limited sector than for the other sector, an operating cam on the other end of the actuator, each switch structure having a reciprocal contact operating member to effect opening and closing of the cir-cuit through the switch structure, and the cam having cam operating surface means for actuating the contact operating members.
The advantage of the convertible selector switch is that it provides a method for rotating a single cam in a plurality of modes with a minimum number of operating parts.
47,695 BRlEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAI~INGS
Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation of a switch embodying the principal features of the invention;
Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line II-II of Fig. l;
Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line III-III of Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line IV-IV of Fig. l;
Fig. 5 is an exploded view of the operating mem-bers of the switch;
Fig. 6 is a development showing the profile of the operating cam when the switch functions in two modes;
Fig. 7 is a development showing the profile of the cam when the switch functions in three modes;
Fig. 8 is a development showing the profile of of the cam when the switch functions in four modes;
Figs. 9, 10 and 11 are elevational views of vari-ous legend plates with which the switch handle may be used;
Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view partly in elevation of another embodiment of the switch;
Fig. 13 is an exploded view of the operating parts of the switch shown in Fig. 12;
Fig. 14 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line XIV-XIV of Fig. 12;
Figs. 15 and 16 are alternate positions of the ,F;B
47,620; ~7,695; 1,7,69 switch as shown in Fig~ 114;
Figs. 17~ 1~, 19, and 20 are fragmentary vertical sectional views, partly in elevation, sho~ng various func-tions of the actuator;
Fig. 21 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line XXI-XXI of Fig. l;
Fig~ 22 is an elevational view with a portion broken away sho~nng the relative positions of a pair of contact blocks;
Fig. 23 is an end view taken on the line XXIII-XXIII in Fig. 2 of a contact block with an additional upper contact block added in tandem; and Fig. 24 is a horizontal view partly in section and partly in elevation taken on the line XXIV-XXIV of Fig~ 23.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In Fig. 1 a switch is generally indicated at 25 and is mounted on a panel 27. The switch 25 comprises an operating unit 29 and pairs of contact blocks 31, 33 in tandem. The operating unit 29 comprises a housing 35, a clamp ring 37, a handle or actuating knob 39, a contact actuator 41, detent means or detent cam 43, and an operating cam 45. The housing 35 is a tubular member including a reduced portion 47 which extends through an aperture in the panel 27 and which comprises a threaded upper end portion 49 on which the clamp ring 37 is tightened for engagement with the panel at 50~ A legend plate 51 is disposed on the panel 27 and around the clamp ring 37.
The handle 39 is composed of an electrically insulating material and is preferably translucent to trans-mit light from a light source or bulb 53. The handle 39 i~
1~7,620; ~7,695; 1~7,696 comprises a tubular porkion 55 which is detachably mounted on the upper end of the contact actuator 410 As shown more particularly in Fig. 5, the tubular portion 55 comprises an end surface 57 and a pair of ears 59, 61 extending radially inwardly from the inner surface of the portion 55 and having end surfaces aligned with the end sur~ace 57. The ears 59, 61 are not diametrically opposed, rather the arc between them on one side is greater than on the other. In addition, the tubular portion 55 includes a first pair of outwardly extending stop ribs 63, 65 having end portions 64, 66 which proJect be~ond khe end surface 57. The circular arc between the ribs 63, 65 on one side is greater than the arc on the other side thereof. Finally, the tubular portion 53 also includes a second pair of stop ribs 67, 69 which are wider than the ribs 63, 65, and which project beyond the end surface 57 by a distance 71 equal to that of the ribs 63, 65. The tubular portion 55 also has spaced notches 73 to permit contraction of the portion 55 as it is snapped into and out of place on the contact actuator 41 when reposition-ing the handle from one mode to another.
The contact actuator 41 (Fig. 5) has an upper end portion which is annular and includes a radial flange 75, as well as a lower portion which is splined, that is, it com-prises a plurality of radially spaced grooves or slots 77 which form a number of longitudinal members 79, the lower ends of which include outturned flanges ~1. The detent cam ~3 is annular and is mounted on the lower portion of the contact actuator 41 where it is movable against a coil spring g3 ~Fig. 1) between the actuator 41 and the housing 30 35. The detent cam ~3 (Fig. 5) includes a plurality of X
~7,620; 1~7,695; ~7,696 spaced cam notches ~5 in which a pair of diametrically opposite cam detents ~6 (one of which is shown) operate.
The cam detents ~6 are part of the actuator ~1 and extend radially therefrom. The detent cam 43 also includes a pair of diametrically opposite grooves or notches ~7 (one of which is shown) in which opposite cam guides or guide ribs ~9, 91 are located, which guides extend longitudinally uI)on the internal sur~ace of the housing 35 and enable the detent cam 43 to move longitudinally without rotating. The guides g9" 91 are also shown in Figs. 3 and 4~
As shown in Fig~ 5, the upper end of the contact actuator 41 comprises a plurality, such as three, notches 93, 95, 97 in which the ears 59, 61 are detachably located, depending upon whether the switch is operated in two, three or four modes or positions. For example, to turn the switch between two modes~ the ear 59 is disposed in the notch 95 with the ear 61 in the notch 97. To operate the switch in three modes, the ear 61 is located in the notch 93, while the ear 59 is in the notch 97. To operate the switch in four modes, the ears 59, 61 may be in either notch 93, 95, or 97 because, as explained below, the end portions 64, 66 corresponding to the projection distances 71 of the several ribs 63, 65, 67, 69 are removed.
The switch 25 is operated through the two, three, and four modes as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and ~, respectively.
For two modes (Fig. 6) the handle 39 is rotated to turn the actuator 41 and the cam detents ~6 from specific notches ~5a to notches ~5b, whereby the handle turns from OFF to ON, as shown in Fig. 9. The ribs 63, 65 limit the mo~rement of the handle because in the OFF position, the rib 63 abuts the upper end of the guide X
47~ ; 47,69~, 47,69 89; and ln l;hg ON po~ltlon ~h~ rlb 65 abut~ th~ ~u1~ 139 on t~h~ o~p~ g ~d@ ~hg~ . Ag~s~ y, l;h~ ~b~ ~3, ~5 ~n ~oo~lsa~ wi~h l;h~ m~ m~QmQ~ 9 ~hQ h~n~
b~tween two po~ltlon~ ~N and O~F, when t;hQ Qar~ 59, 6l ar~
properïy dlD~Q~d in th~ sr n~ not~h~ 7.
Fer l;hr~@ mo~ op~ration, thQ han~la 39 1~ r~po~1-~ n@a wi~h ~ Q~ l;h~ hQ~ ~ ,, 97 8~ th~ ~hg ~o~rib~ 67, 69 ar@ ln th~ ~ol~ lln~ po~ltlon~ as ~hown ln Fl~.
7, wh~r~by thg rl.b 67 1~ ln abutm~nt with tha upp~r ~n~
1~ portlon o~ th~ ~ul~ ha~ ~h~ ha~ mav~ th~ nt~
8~ 3~r~m ~ hg~ 8~ h~ b ~n~ b~ ly n~ghQ~ ~g, ~hu~, ~h~ ~a~ ~ib~ ~7, ~ m~Q 3~ h~
lin~ po~l~lon~ ~a ~h~ bra~n lln~ ~a~i~lon~ un~il th~ rib 69 aon~rant~ th~ athgr ~i~Q a~ th~ ~ulda 89. ~hUE~, afl ~hown in ~g, lO, ~h~ hQOn~lt3 may b~ turn;~d b~tw~n ~hQ pa~ition~
HAND, 9FF, and AU~O .
~ o op~ratQ ~ha ~wi~oh ~n ~our mo~,, th~ lowar ~n~
portion~ 71 ~ . 5) o~ tha ~av~ral rib~ 63, 65l 67, ~9 ar~
r~movQd or gut a~ ~a that nan~ o~ th~ rlb~ eon~ron~ th~
uppar end portlon o~ l;ha ~uldg 89 ~ ~hawn ln Fi~. B.
~C~r~ y J wh~ ~;hQ ha~ J ~h~ ~Q~
lllOV@ b0twQQn th@ ~our na~oh~fl ~5a, 85b, B50, 85~ whQra th~y are llmite~ by ~h~ ~ui ~ 89 . In a~ lon to th~ ~ui~ 89, a ~or~ ha ~Q~Qn~ ~m 4~ . O~ n~ ~h~
~a~h ~f ~h~ m d~ m~ y O~
tha ~am ~n~ ali~n with th~ ~ui~ 89. Aooor~ln~ly, a~ l3hown ln ~ . 11, l;he hanalu ~9 may ba ro~at~ b~tw~an tha ~our pa~ltiorl~ inolu~in~ 9N, 9F~, RUNI JO~.
Anothar ~mbo~lman~ o~ ~ha uwitGh 1~ ~anarally inQlcat;~Q al; lOl ln ~ 2 ln whi~h, 3~or ulmpllrl~tlon, ,~
~7~620; 47,695; 1,7,696 similar reference numbers refer to similar parts sho~m in F~ig. 1. The operating unit 29 com~rises a handle 103 which încludes a tubular portion 105 and stop means comprising a projection or flange 107 extending from one side thereof.
A tab 109 (Fig. 13) projects from the tubular portion 105 and is peripherally spaced from a radial flange 111 which is less on one side than on the other; tha~ is, the tab 109 and the radial flange 111 are not diametricall opposed. The tab 109 preferably includes an indicator mark, such as an arrow 113. The reduced portion 47 of the housing 35 ~Fig. 12) includes a pair of diametrically opposed guide ribs 115 and 117 which are substantially similar to the guide ribs ~9, 91 (Fig. 1)9 but which differ therefrom in that the guide 117 has a lower surface 119 (Fig. lL,) and a projection 121 extending to the level of the upper end of the guide 115. The projection 121 includes stop edges 123 and 125 for limiting rotation of the handle 103.
The contact actuator 41 (Fig. 13) is provided a plurality, such as three, tab-receiving notches 127, 129, 131 facing the top surface of the actuator, as well as three slots 133~ 135, 137. When the tab 109 is placed in one of the notches 127, 129, 131~ the radial flange 111 fits into one of the correspondîng slots 133, 135, 137. Accord-ingly, when the handle 103 is rotated, the force of turning is shared by the tab 109 and the flange 111, To facilitate placement of the tab 109, the indicator mark 113 is placed in the appropriate notch having the desired mode or position number, such as 2, 3,, L,, as shown.
The manner in which the several parts of the handle 103 and the notches and slots of the contac~ actuator _~_ X
4r,620; 47,595; 47,696 41 operate i~ ahown ln Fi~s. ï4, 15, 16. For two-mode operation (F:l~. 14~, ~he tab 109 i~ plased in the notch 127 havin~, the identl~1oatlon "2" Wi.'~;}l the radial ~lan~e 111 ~lttin~ into the ~lot 135, whereby the ~lan~e 107 is dls-posed over a ,~erlpheral ~eol;t)r o~ the aotuator 41. ~o illuatrate t;he ~evaral part~ 107, 109, 111 ln Fi~s. 14, 15, lG, l;he~e parl;a ~re lndioalied by ~tlpplln~ which ha~ no ra~erence l;o th@ klnd o~ ma~ierial involved. ~hus, the handle 103 i~ rotatad betwegn the OFF and ON posil;ion~, as 1~ shown ln ~i~. 9, wlth thg ~lan~e 107 movin~ to the brokon lln~ po~ition (F1~. 14), ~he tab 109 and notoh 127 movin~ to thelr re~p~otlvQ brokQn line po~l~lon~, and the detenk oam 86 movlng ~o l~s brokQn llnQ po~l~lon. In the broken line po~ltion o~ ~lan~Q 107 no ~urthgr rotaklon i~ pos~lble be¢aus~ thQ ~lan~e 111 ~krlkes the ~uide 115 ak the sur~ao~
139. Wh~n the handl~ ls rotated ln ~h~ rever~e dlreckion, thQ cam detQnt 86 ~rik~ th@ ~R~ ula~ 115 ak the ~kop ~ur~aoe 141, and the dlametrloally oppo~ite detenk oam 86 ~trike~ th@ ~top ed~Q 125 o~ ~he proJeotlon 121 ~lmultaneously.
For khree-mode op@ration (~i~. 15), th@ tab 109 and khe ~lan~e 111 are plaogd ln tho notoh 129 and alot 133, re~peotlvely, whloh notah i~ identl~l*d wlth khe number "3".
ln thak po~itian, the oam detont~ 86 are a~ain~t the Btop 0ur~aae~ lX5 and 141; and khe handle 13 rotated olockwls@
~ram a ~ir~t po~itlan A ta Q ~eoand po~itlon ~, or to a third po~it$on C ~hrau~h aro~ Or approprlak@ an~le~, ~uah as 45 ~e~ree~ @aoh. Wh~n ~h@ tab 10~ reaohes ~he broken l~ne po~ition 109, th~ ~langM 10l ~tr$k@~ the atop ~ur~aoe 123 and prevon~ fur~h~r rata~l~n. A~ ~he rlan~e 107 ~pproaehe~
the otop ~ur~aa~ 123, 1`, olgar~ th@ ourra¢e 119 o~ ~he ~u~d@
47,620; 47,695; 47,696 117.
Wh@n the operating un~t 29 19 u~ed ~or ~our-mode operatlon, it i~ nece~sary ~o remove, such aB by cutting, a lower portion 143 o~ t,he ~lange 107 alon~ a line, suoh QS
lndlcated by the broken llne 145 (~1~. 13). To ~acilltate remov~l Or that portion, a breakln~ ~roove may be provlded at the line 145. With the low@r port~on 143 removed, the flan~e 107 no lon~er collide~ with the proJectlon 143 when the handle iu rotated. How0v2r, the tab 109 and the flan e 111 are pre~erably plaoed ln the notches 131 and ~lot 137, re~pectlvely, ~o ~hat an ~ndica~or, cuoh ~B an arrow 147 (Flg. 11) point~ ~o the approprlate po~ltion, such as ON, OFF, RUN, JO~,on the leg@nd pla~e 51. ~he limlts to the rota~ion o~ ~he opera~ing unit 29 are then prov~ded by the cam detentc ~6 ~Fig. 16) whlch are ~topped when they ¢olliae wlth the ~uide~ 115, 117. ~n thic manner, the handle ic turned through ~our po~i~ion~ through three arouate ~ector~ -of suttable degree~, ~uoh a~ 45 degree~, each,~untll the tab 109 and the notoh 131 reach0d the broken line positlon~
thereo~, Rotatlon o~ the operating unit 29 wlth elth~r the embodlment of Fi~. 1 or Fi~. 12, rotates the operQtlng cam 45 throu~h the lndicated modeo to open or clo~e the clrcults through the contaot blooks 31, 33. AB the op~rating cam 45 i~ rotated, it actuate~ ~wltch operatln~ plungers 149, 151 ln various oomblna~ion~ o~ UP and DOWN posltion~, dependin~
upon the cam ~ur~ace. ~he contact blocks 31, 33 may be dlsposed in tandem (Fi~. 12) wlth at least two blook~ ln po~ltlon. In addltion, the block~ 31, 32 may be dlsposed in ~lde-by-~ide po~lon~ ~lg. 22) wlth thelr re~pec~lve .,., /o 47,620; 47,695; 47,696 plun~er~ 149, 151 en~a~in~ the cam 43. Eaoh oontact block contain~ a pair o~ movable contact~ 153 ~nd a pair o~ sta-tlonary contact0 155. ~I'he movable oontact~ 153 are mounted on a brld~ln~ oontaot carrler 157 whlch ln turn i~ mounted on the plunger i51 in a conventional manner, ~uoh as ~hown in P~tent No. 3,919,506. ~aGh contaot blook i~ ~dJu~ted ~or elther normally open (a~ ~hown) or normally olosed condi-tlon~. Eaoh contaGt blook 31, 32, 33 in61udes a pair of ~lmilar oonta¢t~ 153, 155, oontaot oarriQr 157, and plun~er 151 or 149 which ar@ di0po~0d in a GontaGt ohamb@r 159 ~ormed by a ~alr of o~osite 0id@ wall0 161, 162, opposlte end wallQ 165, 167, a~ well a~ top and bottom opposlte ed~e wall~ 16y, 171. ~o ~aollltate a~embly, the sido wall 161 and end wall~ 165, 167 eonstltute a oo~er and are ~eparable ~rom th@ body port~on whloh oomprl~Q~ th~ ~lde wall 162 and the u~per and lower @d~e wall~ 169, 171. When as~embled, sultab~e mean~ ~not ~hown) m~lntaln th~ cover and body portlonD lntaot.
A9 ~hown in Fl~. 22, the ~ta~ionary contact~ 155 are mounted on a termlnal oonneotor 173 wh~.oh ha~ a gener-~lly 7.-~hapod oon~igur~tion compricing an inner end portlon 175, an outor ~nd portion 177, and an intermediat~ portlon 179. ~he outer end portion comprlGeo an a~9embly o~ a terminal sorew and olamp 181 to whloh a ~l~xlble oonduotor ~not ~hown), ~uoh a~ a ~tranded wlre, 1~ attached.
In ~lg. 22, th~ lntermedlat@ portion 179 ls dis-po~ed betwQen the ~ide wall 162 and a wall portion or ~lange 183 whioh i~ ~paoed a~ 185 by a dl~tQnGe ~ubstantially e~ual to th~ thickne~ of the intermediate portion 179. ~he wall 3o portlon 183 ~.~ compri~d o~ an ~leotrically in~ulatlng . ~a~--r~
47 ~ ~;20 ~ 1~7 ~ 695 ~ 47 1 596 material ~imi~ar ~o ~he wall~ ~ormin~ the ~everal contact block~ 313 32, 33 and ~r~@~ as an in~ulatin~ barrier to prevent any ~rc ocgurrin~ betwe~n the contact~ 153, 155 ~rom movln~ ~rom th~ ~tationary oontact 155 to the intermediate portion 1'79, whlch i~ clo~er ~o ~he movable conta¢t 153 when in ~he open po~ on. ~hu~, ~h~ wall por~ion 183 ~acilltate~ in tQrminatin~ any aro oGourrin~ durln~ separa-tion o~ the Gontaot~.
~he tQrmlnal Gonnectoro 173 are retained in the po~itlon ~hown in Fi~. 24 by tha and walls 165, 167 when the body and OO~Qr portion~ ara oompletely a~mbl@d.
Althou~h th~ contaot blo6k~ 31, 32, 33 are pro-vld~d with intQ~ral int~r~ltting m~mber~ lnoludin~ pron~o 187, whloh on~a~ coope.ratin~ reoQ~Q~ lB9 to retaln the block~ in tand@m, thQ blook~ are al~o providod with tubular portion~ ~ormln~ bor~ 193 adapted to recQlve oorew~ 195.
Eaoh ~orqw 195 oompri~Q~ a throaded ~hart 197 and a head 199, whioh h~ad an~a~Q~ a r~duoad ~houlder ~ur~aoe 201 tFi~.
23). Eaoh head 199 co~pri~@~ a threaded bore 203 in whloh the ~nd portion of the ~ha~ 197 ~ ~eoured to the next adJa¢ent ~orew 195. ~he uppermo~t ~arew~ o~ a palr or tandem mounted contaot blook~ ~re attaohed ~n a sultQble manner, ~uoh a~ to thr~aded apertur@~ ln the lower side o~
the hou~in~ 35.
When a ~u~ioi~nt number o~ contact blook~ 31, 32, 33 are connect@d in tandem and ~eoured ln plQoe by an elon~-ated ~eri~3 of ~or@w~ 195, the oontaGt block3 o~ adJaoent ~tack~ or tandem~ ~re inolined to ~eparate outwardly due to the ~oroe appliQd by the ~¢rew~. A3 a r@cult, adJaoent palr~ o~ oon~ac~ blo¢k~ in ~h@ ~pao@d ~andem ~taoks are _,~_ ' .' /~
~6~
47,G20; 47,635; 47,696 provided w~h laterally interconnectin~ meanc, such as cooperatln~ hoek~ 205, 207, o~ wh~oh a palr extend ~rom each pair o~ ~pac@d block~ 31, 33 ~ . 24). ~hu~, the hook~
205, 207 maintaln a pair o~ tandem contaot block~ in the deslr~d ~pacin~ with r@spect ~o each o~her and in ali~nment wlth ~he operatin~ unlt 29.
'~he manner ln which ~he operatin~ o~m 45 ic mounted on the lower end o~ the contact ao~uator 41 i~ shown in Fi~. 17-20. ~he cam 45 i~ an annular member havin~ cam ~ur~aceB 209, 211 (Flg. 1) and mountin~ ~poke~ 213 tF1~. 5).
A~ ~hewn in Flg. 21, the ~oke~ ar~ di~po~ed in the ~roovec 77 b~tween th~ ~0veral lon~ittldinal m@mb~r~ 79. Thu~, when the conta¢t actuator 41 i~ rotatQd, th~ cam 45 rota~e~ to acttlate ene er both pltAtng~r~ 149~ 151, ~uch a~ shown in F~.
17. Hew~ver, wh~r~ th~ handl~ 39 or 103 io operated a~ a pu~h butten ln~t~a~ o~ Q rotary ~eleotor ~witch, the~aotuator ~6 ~ ~
: i~ moved ln th~ direction o~ thu arrow 215'to depre~ both plun~er~ 149, 151. '~he eperating cam 45, however, remains ln lt~ po~itien b~cau~e th~ ~pokQ~ 213 ~llde in the 910t~
77. A~ ahown in Fig. 21, th~ upper en~ o~ th@ plun~ers 149, 151 overlap the our~aoe3 Or th@ oQm 45 and the Planges 41 at the lower end o~ eaoh lon~itudinal m@mber 79. Acoord-in~ly, the plun~er~ 149, 151 are aGtuated by elther or both o~ th@ cam and lon~itudinal m~mber~.
Finally, where n@~oary, one or more o~ the lon-gitudinal member~ 79 may be ellmlnated, ~u~h as ~hown in Fi~. 19 on ~he ri~ht-hand 3ide, ther~by removin~ On@ 0~ the ~lan~es 81 whloh overlap~ ~he plun~@r 149. ~hu~, when ~he actuator 41 1~ depre3~ed ln ~he arrow 215 tF1~. 20~, the 3o plun~er 151 i~ ~epre~oed, bu~; l;h@ plun~er 149 remains ln the ,~ ~` upper po ~ it ion .
: ~3
Claims (11)
1. A rotary selector switch comprising a rotatable actuating unit, a tubular housing, said unit comprising an actuator within the housing and a switch handle on one end of the actuator, at least two switch structures mounted on the housing and operatively connected to the other end of the actuator, the handle being at one end of the housing and rotatable through one limited sector thereof, the handle being removable from the actuator for repositioning thereon in another limited sector of rotation, stop means for limiting rotation of said unit and comprising interengageable means between the housing and the handle, mutually interfitting means on the handle and actuator to enable said removal and reposition-ing, the interengageable means being more proximate to each other for rotation of the handle through one limited sector than for another sector, an operating cam on the other end of the actuator, each switch structure having a reciprocable contact operating member to effect opening and closing of a circuit through the switch structure, and the cam having cam operating surface means for actuating the contact operating members.
2. The switch of claim 1 in which said stop means comprises a first projection on the handle and a second pro-jection on the housing and in the path of rotation of the first projection.
3. The switch of claim 2 in which the unit is rotatable between at least two switch positions in each section of rotation.
4. The switch of claim 3 in which there are detent means comprising a detent cam having cam notches between the housing and the actuating unit for holding the handle in a selected position which detent means also comprises at least one detent on the actuator engageable with the cam notches.
5. The switch of claim 4 in which the detent is on said unit, the detent cam is on the housing, and spring bias means are on the side of the detent cam opposite the detent for holding the cam against the detent.
6. me switch of claim 5 in which the detent cam detent, and spring bias means are located between the actuator and the housing.
7. The switch of claim 6 in which the actuator is a sleeve.
8. The switch of claim 7 in which the sleeve has a spline and the operating cam includes projection means adjustably mounted in the spline.
9. The switch of claim 6 in which the detent cam and the housing have mutually interfitting means extending longitudinally of the housing to enable longitudinal movement of the detent cam in the housing.
10. The switch of claim 9 in which the mutually interfitting means comprises a guide rib on the housing sur-face and a rib-engaging notch on the detent cam.
11. The switch of claim 10 in which the portion of the rib nearer the handle comprises said stop means for limiting rotation of the handle.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US858,326 | 1977-12-07 | ||
| US05/858,326 US4175221A (en) | 1977-12-07 | 1977-12-07 | Convertible selector switch |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1116668A true CA1116668A (en) | 1982-01-19 |
Family
ID=25328048
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000313705A Expired CA1116668A (en) | 1977-12-07 | 1978-10-18 | Convertible selector switch |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US4175221A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0002393A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS5486784A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7808030A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1116668A (en) |
| ES (1) | ES475777A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2010017B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX144708A (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4227056A (en) * | 1979-04-12 | 1980-10-07 | Westinghouse Electric Corp. | Key lock rotary selector switch |
| GB8705885D0 (en) * | 1987-03-12 | 1987-04-15 | Y S Securities Ltd | Electrical switchgear |
| JPH0614357Y2 (en) * | 1988-01-08 | 1994-04-13 | 和泉電気株式会社 | Selector switch |
| US5180050A (en) * | 1991-10-15 | 1993-01-19 | Delco Electronics Corporation | Pushbutton rotary switch |
| US5204502A (en) * | 1991-10-28 | 1993-04-20 | Delco Electronics Corporation | Dual function switching apparatus |
| US5347119A (en) * | 1993-06-25 | 1994-09-13 | Litton Systems, Inc. | Night vision device with dual-action artificial illumination |
| US5786554A (en) * | 1995-06-29 | 1998-07-28 | Toyodenso Kabushiki Kaisha | Shift switching device for torque converter |
| US6065365A (en) * | 1997-05-08 | 2000-05-23 | Case Corporation | Control lever assembly |
| ATE441235T1 (en) * | 2006-07-17 | 2009-09-15 | Siemens Ag | SWITCH WITH A CLUTCH FOR FASTENING AN ACTUATING DEVICE |
| WO2013093529A1 (en) * | 2011-12-20 | 2013-06-27 | Toth Matyas | Apparatus for on demand limiting of the value range of a parameter adjustment device |
| JP6251952B2 (en) * | 2012-11-30 | 2017-12-27 | オムロン株式会社 | selector switch |
| DE102014226618A1 (en) * | 2014-12-19 | 2016-06-23 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | rotary actuator |
| CN107978470B (en) * | 2016-10-25 | 2020-11-13 | 浙江正泰电器股份有限公司 | Load switch |
Family Cites Families (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2631203A (en) * | 1946-03-29 | 1953-03-10 | Square D Co | Push-button electric switch |
| US2498614A (en) * | 1947-05-27 | 1950-02-21 | Clark Controller Co | Circuit selector switch |
| US2748208A (en) * | 1951-09-15 | 1956-05-29 | Furnas Electric Co | Oiltight rotary selector switch |
| US3118026A (en) * | 1960-12-22 | 1964-01-14 | Gen Electric | Push button switch structure |
| US3169406A (en) * | 1961-05-31 | 1965-02-16 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Control switch operator |
| US3188404A (en) * | 1962-05-29 | 1965-06-08 | Oak Mfg Co | Rotary electric switch with interfitting means |
| DE1283320B (en) * | 1964-12-05 | 1968-11-21 | Eberle Werke Kg | Rotation angle limitation for rotary switch |
| US3244821A (en) * | 1965-09-13 | 1966-04-05 | Bourns Inc | Indicating knob-enclosed electrical switch |
| US3333079A (en) * | 1965-10-07 | 1967-07-25 | Westinghouse Electric Corp | Switch operator comprising a rotatable switch actuator |
| US3320393A (en) * | 1965-11-15 | 1967-05-16 | Square D Co | Illuminated selector switch |
| GB1118755A (en) * | 1966-04-13 | 1968-07-03 | Ici Ltd | Difluoraminated urea derivatives |
| US3517570A (en) * | 1968-08-07 | 1970-06-30 | Honeywell Inc | Multi-position rotary actuating mechanism |
| DE1925209A1 (en) * | 1968-09-30 | 1970-04-16 | Ers Ce S D F Di Mario Rubagott | Electric rotary switch |
| DE1946887B2 (en) * | 1969-09-16 | 1972-04-13 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin u. 8000 München | RESTING SYSTEM WITH SPRING-RETURN DEVICE AND ROTATIONAL LIMITATION FOR ROTARY SWITCHES |
| US3770926A (en) * | 1972-07-27 | 1973-11-06 | Allen Bradley Co | Selector switch actuator with part of detent means integral with actuator cam |
| US4000382A (en) * | 1973-02-12 | 1976-12-28 | Honeywell Inc. | Adjustable mechanism for control devices |
| DE2363983C3 (en) * | 1973-12-21 | 1978-03-09 | Siemens Ag, 1000 Berlin Und 8000 Muenchen | Device for limiting the range of rotation of an actuating shaft, in particular a switch shaft |
| DE2403174C3 (en) * | 1974-01-23 | 1979-02-01 | Ebe Elektro-Bau-Elemente Gmbh, 7022 Leinfelden-Echterdingen | Ratchet mechanism for multi-step rotary switches with a spring-return device in which the spring strikes against a plate inserted in the grooves |
-
1977
- 1977-12-07 US US05/858,326 patent/US4175221A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1978
- 1978-10-18 CA CA000313705A patent/CA1116668A/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-06 ES ES475777A patent/ES475777A1/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-06 BR BR7808030A patent/BR7808030A/en unknown
- 1978-12-06 MX MX175889A patent/MX144708A/en unknown
- 1978-12-07 EP EP78300770A patent/EP0002393A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1978-12-07 GB GB7847558A patent/GB2010017B/en not_active Expired
- 1978-12-07 JP JP15063278A patent/JPS5486784A/en active Granted
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPS5486784A (en) | 1979-07-10 |
| US4175221A (en) | 1979-11-20 |
| ES475777A1 (en) | 1979-11-01 |
| MX144708A (en) | 1981-11-11 |
| GB2010017B (en) | 1982-04-21 |
| BR7808030A (en) | 1979-07-31 |
| EP0002393A1 (en) | 1979-06-13 |
| JPS6342367B2 (en) | 1988-08-23 |
| GB2010017A (en) | 1979-06-20 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |